Page 131 of Bonds of Pain
A challenge means combat, potentially to the death. We both know I wouldn’t survive a direct confrontation with Logan. He’s stronger, faster, and more ruthless than I am.
“You know that’s not what I’m saying,” I reply carefully. “I’m simply concerned about the stability of our pack.”
“Then trust me to handle my mate as I see fit.” His voice softens slightly, becoming almost reasonable. “Maya needs to understand her place. Once she accepts it, things will improve for everyone.”
I nod slowly, outwardly playing the role he expects of me as the loyal soldier, the unquestioning pack member. But inside, something has shifted. For the first time since pledging myself to Logan’s service, I find myself mentally calculating the odds of successfully challenging him.
Not because I think I could win in direct combat, but because I’m starting to wonder if any price would be too high to stop this spiral of destruction.
I’ve never had these thoughts before. Never considered scenarios where Logan might be wrong, where following him might lead us somewhere I’m not willing to go. The realization is as terrifying as it is liberating.
“Of course,” I say finally, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “I’ll leave you to your duties.”
As I walk away, I realize something that surprises me. I’ve forgiven Maya for what she did to me, for sending me into that trap with Vivienne and Elara. I understand now that she was doing what any captive animal would do: lashing out with whatever weapons were available, even knowing there was no possibility of escape.
She is just trying to survive in a cage that grows smaller by the day. And in her place, I might have done the same thing.
The question now is what I’m going to do about it.
For the first time, I’m wondering if there are any other choices than blind loyalty or outright rebellion. Because if I have to choose, only one option will allow me to keep living with myself.
Even if it gets me killed.
Chapter Thirty-Five
MAYA
Iwake to shouting and the sound of something crashing against a wall.
For a moment, I’m disoriented, unsure where I am or what’s happening. The bandages on my wrists tug painfully as I push myself up, memory returning in a rush that makes my head spin. Poe found me. He stopped me. He saved me.
Though I’m not sure “saved” is the right word for it.
More shouting from the main room, followed by another crash. My heart pounds against my ribs as I slide out of bed, unsteady on my feet. The wounds on my chest pull tight beneath their bandages, a searing reminder of what Logan did to me—what he made Cillian do.
I’m moving toward the door before I even realize what I’m doing, drawn by some morbid curiosity to see what’s happening. The floor is cold against my bare feet as I stumble into the hallway, following the sounds of chaos.
“You have no right to be here!” Ares’s voice booms through the apartment.
I reach the hallway just in time to see Cillian blocking my path, his pale face tight with tension.
“You need to go back to bed,” he says, his voice low and urgent. His gaze flicks over my bandaged wrists, but his expression reveals nothing.
“What’s happening?” I ask, trying to see past him.
The sounds of struggle grow louder. Something else shatters, followed by a string of curses.
“Maya.” Cillian’s voice takes on that particular note of command that makes my body respond involuntarily. “Go back to the bedroom. Now.”
I push past him into the main living area, only to be met with a scene of total chaos.
Armed palace guards surround Poe and Ares, who stand in the center of what looks like a battlefield. The coffee table is overturned, glass shattered across the floor, and a chair lies broken against the far wall.
“By order of King Leopold,” announces the guard captain, “you are to be taken into custody immediately.”
“What?” I gasp, loud enough that several guards turn their heads toward me.
Poe’s dark eyes find mine, his expression unreadable as the guards surround him. He doesn’t resist as they bind his wrists behind his back. Beside him, Ares looks murderous but is now similarly compliant.
